Nothing wrong in disclosing names: Sharad Pawar

Union minister and former BCCI president Sharad Pawar came out in support of IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi, saying there was nothing wrong in making the names of the Kochi franchise stakeholders public.

"There is nothing wrong in disclosing the names of the stakeholders," Pawar said.

"If the IPL commissioner or the BCCI president is seeking information about any bid, he has every right to do so, because unless and until he collects the correct information, he will not realise who the people behind it are," Pawar said.

However, Pawar played the consummate diplomat and also issued a statement in support of Shashi Tharoor, saying his "basic interest" was to put cricket in the limelight in Kerala and provide opportunities to players from the state.

"My observation is that Tharoor's basic interest was that Kochi should get an opportunity in the IPL. He was eager to show the people of the state that the IPL is also a part of Kerala and wanted to encourage new players from Kerala," Pawar said.

He further added that the IPL's Governing Council meeting schedule for a few days later would clear any misunderstandings.

"I am absolutely clear that when (BCCI president) Shashank Manohar holds this meeting, all misunderstandings will be cleared," he said.

Pawar also said that Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi had no role in the entire episode.

"They (Kochi investors) met me once and there was a suggestion that the Kochi stadium would take a year or two to complete. So, in the meantime, if they play in Ahmedabad, that will be better.

"But I advised them that 'you have taken the option of Kochi. Please do not shift the place'. Fortunately, that time Narendra Modi was in town. These people met him and, in my presence, Modi told the investors 'don't insist for Ahmedabad because you got this opportunity for Kochi,'" Pawar added.